Metalworking machine



May 2, 1944; O..'J.- BRATZ METALWORKING MACHINE Filed Feb. 10, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVE UTTOJ BRATZ ATTORNEY O. J. .BRATZ METALWORKING MACHINE May 2, 1944.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 10, 1943 ATTORNEY y 1944 o. J. BRATZ METALWORKING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 10, 1943 INVENTO R OTTO m R B ATTORNEY I v Z4 7 ai 5.11

May 2, 1944. B ATZ 2,347,875

I METALWORKING MACHINE Filed Feb. 10, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Hill INVENTOR I TTO JBRATZ ATTORNEY y 1944- 0. J. BRATZ 1 2,347,875

I METALWORKING MACHINE Filed Feb. 10, 1943 s Sheets-Sheet s Ill-ll Illllll INVENTOR TTO JBHATZ S'kmm ATTORNEY Patented May 2, 1944 METALWORKING MACHINE Otto J. Bratz, Adrian, Mich., assignor to American Chain & Cable Company, Inc., Bridgeport, Conn, a corporation of New York Application February 10, 1943, Serial No. 475,450

14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in metal working machines.

Among the objects of this invention are improvements applicable to metal working machines generally, and more particularly to swaging machines including relatively movable swaging dies and means for feeding and. rotating an article to be swaged between the dies, such improvements comprising improved means for determining the initial position of the forward end of the article in the bell-mouth of swaging dies; improved means for adjustably controlling the forward and rearward limits of feeding move ment of the article to be swaged; improved means for feeding and rotating the articletobe swagedj and improved means for controlling the amount of rotation and feed of the article to beswaged. and improved-means for varying the amount of feed with relation to the amount of rotation, for permitting the rotation of the article to continue and the swagingdies to continue their operation to perform a predetermined numberof swaging operations after the forward. feeding movement of the article has been arrested.

Other objects of this invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings in which-- I Fig. 1 is a front elevational ,view of a standard press swaging machine showing attachments embodying the principles of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view partly in vertical section showing my improved feeding and rotating means and the dies;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a portion ofthe mechanism disclosed in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the fluid pressure supply pump mechanism; 7

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 5-5 of i H Fig. 6 is a vertical section on the line i5 of Fig. 2; v v n Fig. 7 is a vertical section on the line 1-1 of Fig. 4, showing a valve mechanism for controlling the pressure of the fluid against the. feeding Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 showing the valve in closed position at the beginning .of an operation of the machine; v

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the pump disclosed in Fig. 4;

Fig. 10 shows an improved fitting holder for one type of fitting;

Fig. 11 shows an improved fitting holder for another type of fitting.

I have disclosed my invention in connection with a standard vertical press type swaging machine which includes a frame Fig. 1 provided with a base IS on which are supported standards l6 and I! in which is journaled a press operating crank shaft l8. Supported on the standards is an oil reservoir l9 Fig. 4 which supports a pump mechanism 20 Figs. 4 and 9, and a valve control mechanism 2|, Figs. 7 and8.- Also supported on'the base l5 Fig. land projecting to the right thereof is a platform 24 Figs. '2 and 3 on which is supported a fixed swaging' die 25 and the mechanism for feed'ing and rotating the article to be swaged which is disclosed in" Figs.

1,2,3,5,and6. p

The movable swaging die indicated at 26 Fig. 1 is supported asus'ual-on a rod suitably guided in the frame for operation by a vertically reciprocable pitman 21 mounted on the crank shaft I8. The shaft l8 may be driven by a'motor not disclosed through a belt 28 as indicated. Brakin means indicated at 29' and30 'is provided for releasing and stopping the machine and this may be operated from a foot pedal (not'disclosedl through linkage connections-3| and 32 from 'a shaft 33 (see also Fig. -'I). I Supported on the right-hand end of the p atform 24 Figs. 1 and'2 is a fluid cylinder 35 in which reciprocates and rotates a hollow piston 36 connected by a universal connection 31 to a sliding rod 38, on the end of which is threaded a fitting holder 39 provided with arecess to receive the head of a fitting 4Q andwith a transverse pin 4| to hold the fitting" in the recess. The fitting holder may take the form disclosed in Figs. 10 and 11 as indicated at sea and 39b. The fitting holders 39a and 3% are supported on closely coiled helical springs 42 which in turn are supported in sleeves 43 threaded on the sliding rod 38. These springs are secured in position by being compressed radially and then permitted to expand into the fitting holders and sleeves and they are coiled in a direction to cause them to expand into greater frictional contact with the holder and sleeve in case rotation of the fitting is opposed. The sleeves may be provi ed W tapered interior shoulders 44' to engage the tapered base of a fitting alining member 45 'recessed to receive the end 'of a turnbuckle type fitting 40a Fig.1 1. The outside dimensions of the fitting holders 39a and 3% are smaller than the interior diameters of the sleeves 43 to permit of transverse movement of the holders Within the sleeves to permit automatic minor adjust: :nents to compensate. for irregularities in the fitmgs.

The left-hand end of the sliding rod 38 is slidably supported in an adjustable stop block 46 which is held in adjusted, position on the platform 24 by means of threaded bolts 41 passing through slots 48 in flanges on the block and threadedly engaging anyone of a series of holes 49 in the platform 24. This block is provided for the purpose of adjusting the home position of the fitting holder and also the most forward position of the fitting holder. Each end of the block is provided with a rotatable ring or disc 50 of ball bearing construction against which the sliding rod 38 is stopped.

The forward end of the sliding rod 38 is provided with a stop member threaded thereon for engagement with the ring or disc 50 on the left hand end of the block 46 to stop the sliding rod in its home or rearward position. Mounted on the sliding rod for cooperation with the disc 50 on the right hand end of the block 46 is an adjustable stop member 52- which may be secured in adjusted position on the sliding rod to limit the forward feeding movement of the sliding rod 38 and the fitting holder 39. By adjusting the stop block 43 and the stop member 52- the forward and rearward limits of movement ofthe sliding rod and fitting holder may be fixed. In setting the block 46 for a series of operations on fittings of the same size the block is so adjusted that the small end of the fitting, that is, the end of the fitting into which the cable is inserted, will extend half way into the bell mouth of the dies. This has the advantage that the first one or two swaging operations on the fitting will. reduce the fitting less than if the end of the fitting were extendedI-intothe cylindrical portions of the dies.

As disclosed in Figs. 1 and,2 see also Figs. 5 and 6, a weight 55 may be provided for-returning the sliding rod 38 to the right into its home position as determined by the position of the block 48. For thispurpose there is provided a sleeve 56 which is mounted for movement with the sliding movement of the slidingrod Hand to which the weight 55 is connected by means of a cable 51 passing over a pulley 58. Each end of the sleeve 56 is provided with a ball bearing 59' through the inner rings of which passes the sliding rod 38, permitting free relative rotation of the sliding rod. The sleeve 56 is moved forwardly by the piston 36 by means of a sleeve 60 interposed between the universal connection 31 and the inner ring of the adjacent ball bearing 59.- j e For the purpose of rotating the sliding rod 38 there is provided a rotary pump construction including a'housing 62 Figs. 1 and 2 which is secured to an end of the cylinder 35 and constitutes the closed end or head of the cylinder. Inside of the housing 62 is a rotor 63 Fig. 5 which may be provided with 7 spring pressed hinged paddles 66 constructed as disclosed in Fig. 5 to rotate clockwise as fluid under pressure is forced into the housing through a pipe 51. Supported in the end walls of the housing 62 is a shaft 68 to which the rotor is keyed. This shaft extends port H extending through one wall of the rotorcasing and intersecting a radial port 12 in the cylinder 35 through which the fluid passes into the cylinder to move the piston and sliding rod 38 forwardly at the same time that these parts are rotated by the rotor. Connected to the outer end of the port 12 is a pipe 13 through which the fluid under pressure is permitted to escape after the arrest of the forward movement of the piston and rod 38 which permits the piston and rod to be rotated after their forward movement has been arrested. The pipe 13 directs the fluid to a valve mechanism for conditioning the piston for operation and for controlling the amount of forward movement of the piston on each stroke of the 'fiuid supplying mechanism.

For purposes of supplying fluid under pressure there is provided, Figs. 4 and 9, a pump mechanism 20 which as disclosed in Fig. 4 may be supported on the fluid reservoir I9. Projecting upwardly from the bottom of the reservoir [Sis a hollow cylindrical guiding member 14. The pump cylinder block of the pump mechanism 20 is provided with a cylindrical opening 15 in communication with a port 16 in a detachable valve block 11 which port 16 is in communication with the fluid in the reservoir 19 through an intake valve 18, and with the pipe 61 leading to the rotor through an outlet valve 19 and with the reservoir through an adjustable safety relief valve 80. This latter valve is made adjustable so that no damage will be done to the pump mechanism or the rotor by excessively high pressures that might otherwise be developed by the pump.

Threaded in the lower end of the cylindrical opening 15 in the pump block is a long sleeve 8! which constitutes in efiect the body of the pump cylinder and in which operates a pump piston 82 against a return spring 83 between the piston and the end of the cylinder. One side of the outer end of the piston 82 is cut away to provide a shoulder 84 to engage a stop 85 on a vertically adjustable. slide 86 mounted on the outer face of the pump block and made adjustable by means of a threaded nut 81. By means of this adjustment the downward movement of the piston may be limited to control the amount of fluid delivered by the pump on each stroke which in turn controls the amount of angular rotation and forward movement given to the sliding rod 38 Fig. 2 and to the fitting 49.

The piston is operated in its upward stroke by the upward movement of the pitman 21 Fig. 1 which operates the movable die 26. As dis- 3 closed in Fig. 1 and also Fig. 4 the cap of the and the bottom wall of the reservoir [9.

into the cylinder 35 and is provided with a noncircular end-69 Fig. 2 non-rotatably and slidably extending through a hole in the outer end wall pitman 21 is provided with a block 90 which engages a roller 9| supported on a rod 92 slidable within the cylinder 14. The upper end of the rod is provided with a head 93 adapted to engage and operate the pump piston 82. The roller 9| is held'in contact with the block 90 by means of a spring 94 connected between the head 93 By means of this construction the pump is operated during every operation of the movable die after it has disengaged the work and as it is being moved toward its upper home position so that in all. cases the work or fitting is free to be rotated and moved forward as the pump is operated.

At the beginning of a swaging operation no fluid must be permitted to flow through the return pipe 13 in order that the fluid which rotates the rotor and thesliding rod 33 m y also move the sliding rod 38 Fig. 2 forwardly to feed the fitting into the dies. When the forward movement of the sliding rod 33 and fitting has been stopped the fluid entering the pump must be discharged through the pipe 73 in order that the sliding rod 38 and fitting may be rotated to apply several additional swaging operations on the fitting.

Also supported on the reservoir I9 is the valve mechanism 2| Figs. 4, 7, and 8 which comprises a sliding valve I spring pressed by a spring IOI bearing on an adjustable member I02 which may be turned by a manipulative means I03 to adjust the compression of the spring IIII and therefore the pressure required to move the valve I00 from the closed position disclosed in Fig. 8

-..to an open position permitting the fluid in the pipe 73 to by-pass the valve and to pass into the reservoir I9. This valve may be adjusted to control the pressure of the fluid on the piston 35 and therefore to control the amount of forward feed for a given amount of fluid discharged into the cylinder 35. By this means the amount of forward feed of the fitting may be varied from zero to that produced by a capacity delivery from the pump and for any amount of fluid delivered by the pump.

The body of the valve I III] is slotted as shown at I04 and into the space between the end I65 of the slot and a pin I 01 which extends through the walls of the slot projects the short arm of a bell crank I06. The long arm of the bell crank is connected by means of a cable I98 passing over a pulley Hi9 with an arm III) on a block III clamped to the brake operating shaft 33. As the brakes are applied to stop the machine, the bell crank IE6 is rocked counterclockwise into the position shown in Fig. '7 opening the valve I00 which permits the weight 55 to return the sliding rod 38 to its home position. I When the brakes are released the bell crank I06 is moved clockwise into the position shown in Fig. 8 which per mits the valve I00 to seat and close the end of the pipe 73. As the press operates, the pumping mechanism will be operated on each upward stroke of the upper die and the fitting to be swaged will be simultaneously rotated and'moved forward. When the forward movement of the fitting is arrested by the stops 46 and 2, then the pressure of the fluid in the pipe I3 will open the valve I00 and discharge the fluid into the reservoir I9.

Prior to the swaging operation the machine is adjusted for the particular type of work to be swaged. The block 46 which controls the movement of the sliding rod 38 to the right is adjusted so that the small end of the fitting extends half way into the bell mouth of the dies. The stop 52 is then adjusted on the sliding rod 38 to control the length of the swaged portion of the fitting. The stroke of the pump 20 is adjusted to control the amount of fluid delivered to the rotor 63 to control the amount of rotation given to the fitting between successive strokes of the press. The fluid discharged from the rotor is discharged against the piston 36 and will move this piston forwardly and feed the fitting into the dies an amount in proportion to the amount of fluid delivered against the piston. The amount of movement of the piston may be controlled by adjusting the valve IEli? Figs. '7 and 8 which controls the pressure of the fluid operating on the'piston. This valve may be adjusted so that there will be no forward movement of the piston or so that there will be any amount of forward movement of the piston up to the amount of movement that would be produced if all of the fluid discharged by the rotor displaced the piston.

When the machine is at rest and the brakes are applied the valve I00 Figs. '7 and 8 will be in the position indicated in Fig. '7. When the brakes are released the valve will be permitted to close as indicated in Fig. 8 causing the fluid discharged from the rotor into the cylinder 35 to move the piston forwardly and feed the article to be swaged between the dies, in amounts dependent upon the compression of the valve spring I III which controlsthe amount of fluid discharged through the pipe 73 past the valve I00. When the adjustable stop 52 engages the adjustable block 46 Figs. 1 and 2 the forward feeding movement of the sliding rod 38 and fitting 40 is arrested, the fluid discharged from the rotor discharging through'the pipe 73 past the valve I00 into the oil reservoir. When the brakes are applied, the valve I00 is moved into the position shown in Fig. '7 permitting the free discharge of the fluid through the pipe 73 which permits the weight 55 to return the sliding rod 38 into its right hand home position.

While I have disclosed a standard form of press swaging machine to which my invention has been applied and have also disclosed a preferred embodiment of my invention and described the same with particularity, it is to be understood that my invention may take other forms and be embodied in other than standard machines and that therefore I reserve the right to all such changes and modifications as fall within the principles of my invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: I v

1. In a metal working machine, the combination of a movably mounted Work support, a metal working element, a fluid pressure operated piston for moving said work support to feed the work to said working element; a fluid operated rotor for rotating said work support to rotate the work with respect to said metal working element, a fluid conduit for carrying fluid discharged from said rotor to the working side of said piston, and means for supplying fluid under pressure to said rotor.

2. In a metal working machine, the combination of a movably mounted work support, a metal working element, a fluid pressure operated piston for moving said work support tofeed the work to said working element, a fluid operated rotor for rotating said work support to rotate the work with respect to said metal working element, a fluid conduit for carrying fluid discharged from said rotor to the working side of said piston,.and means for supplying fluid under pressure at spaced intervals to effect step by step operations of said piston and rotor.

3. In a metal. working machine, the combination of a movably mounted work support, a, metal working element, a fluid pressure operated piston for moving said work. support to feed the work to said working element, a fluid operated rotor for rotating said work support to rotate the work with respect to said metal working element, a fluidconduit for carrying fluid discharged from said rotor to the working side ofv said piston, means for supplying at spaced intervals equal quantities of fluid under pressure to said rotor, and means for controlling the amount of fluid in each quantity of fluid supplied.

4. In a metal working machine, the combination of a movably mounted work support, a metal working element, a fluid pressure operated piston for moving said work support to feed the, work to said working element, a fluid operated rotor for rotating said work support. to rotate the. work with respect to said metal working element, a

, fluid conduit for carrying fluid discharged from said rotor to the working side of said piston, means for supplying at spaced intervals equal quantities of fluid under pressure to said rotor, and means for regulating the pressure of the fluid supplied tov the rotor.

5. In a metal working machine, the combination of a movably mounted work support, a metal working element, a fluid pressure operated piston for moving said Work support to feed the work to said, working element, a fluid operated rotor for rotating said work support to rotate the work with respect to said metal working element, a fluid conduit for carrying fluid discharged from said rotor to the working side of said piston, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said rotor, means for arresting the forward movement of said piston, a return pipe connected to the conduit between said rotor and said piston and a relief valve in said return pipe operable by the fluid passing through the rotor and diverted through the return pipe byisaid arrested piston.

6. In a metal working machine, the combination of a movably mounted work support, a metal working element, a fluid pressure operated piston for moving said work support to feed the work to said workingelement, a fluid operated rotor for with respect to said metal working element, a rotating said work support to rotate the work fluid conduit for carrying fluid discharged from said rotor to the working side of said piston, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said rotor, means for' arresting the forward movement of said piston, a return pipe connected to the conduit between said rotor and said piston, a relief vvalve in said return pipe operable by the fluid passing through the rotor and diverted through the return pipe by said arrested piston, means for stopping the machine, and means operated as an incident to the operation of said stopping means foropening said relief valve.

7. In a metal working machine, the combination of a movably mounted work support, a metal working element, means for moving said metal working element toward and away from the work, a fluid pressure operated piston for moving said work support to feed the work to said working element, a fluid operated rotor for rotating said work support to rotate the work with respect to said metal working element, a fluid conduit for carrying fluid discharged from said rotor to the working side of said piston, means for supplying fluidunder pressure to said rotor, means for arresting the forward movement of said piston, a return pipe connected to the conduit between said rotor and piston, a a spring pressed relief valve in said return pipe moved into open position by the fluid'passing through therotor and diverted through the return pipe by said are rested piston, control means for starting and permit said valve to close as said control means is operated to start the operation of said working element. 7 V V 8. In a metal workingmachine, the combinegamers tion of. a movably mounted work support a metal working element, means for moving said metal workin element toward and away from the work, a fluid pressure operated piston for moving said work support to feed the work to said working element, a fluid operated rotor for rotating said work support to rotate the work with, respect to said metal working element, a fluid conduit for carrying fluid discharged from said rotor to. t working side of said piston, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said rotor, means for arresting the forward movement of said piston, a return pipe connected to the conduit between said rotor and piston, a relief valve in said return pipe operable by the fluid passing through said rotor and diverted through the return pipe by said arrested piston, means for starting and, stopping the operation of said metal working element, means operated by said last mentioned means when operated to stop the operation of said working element for opening said relief valve, and automatic means for returning said work support into its home position upon cessation of the operation of said metal working element.

9. In a metal working machine, the combination of a movably mounted work support, a metal working element, a fluid pressure operated piston for moving said work support to feed the work to said working element, a fluid operated rotor for rotating said work support to rotate the work with respect to said metal working element, a fluid conduit for carrying fluid discharged from said rotor to the working side of said piston, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said rotor, means for arresting the forward movement of said piston, a return pipe connected to the conduit between said rotor and piston, a relief valve in said return pipe operable by the fluid passing through said rotor and diverted through the return pipe by said arrested piston, and means for adjusting said relief to predetermine the distance of feed of the work eifected by the fluid discharged from said rotor.

10. In a metal working machine, the combination of a movably mounted work support, a metal working element, a fluid cylinder, a piston in said cylinder for moving said work support, a rotary pump for rotating said work support, a conduit connection, between said rotary pump and cylinder, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said rotary pump, said rotary pump including a rotor, and a rotor mounting shaft projecting into an opening in said piston and slidably and non-rotatably engaging said piston.

11. In a metal working machine, the combination of a movably mounted work support, a metal working element, a fluid cylinder, a piston in said cylinder for moving said work support, a rotary pump for rotating said work support, a conduit connection between said rotary pump and said cylinder, means for supplying fluid under pressure to. said rotary pump, said rotary pump including a rotor, a rotor mounting shaft projecting into an opening in said piston and slidably and nonrotatably engaging said piston, an adjustable stop on said frame through which said piston extends, a cooperating stop on said piston between said adjustable stop and said metal working element and an adjustable stop on said piston on the other side of said adjustable stop, said adjustable'stops being adjustable to determine the forward and return limits of the strokes of said piston.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination of rotatable and slidable work support, a fluid rotor for rotating said support, a fluid operated piston for sliding said work support, a conduit for carrying the fluid discharged by the rotor against said piston, means for supplying predetermined quantities of fluid under predetermined pressures to said rotor, and means for controlling the pressure of the fluid discharged against said piston for controlling the amount of movement of said piston effected by the fluid discharged from said rotor.

13. In a swaging machine the combination of a movably mounted work support, a swaging die, means for reciprocating said die for efiectin swaging of the work, fluid pressure operated means for rotating said work support to rotate said work relatively to said die, fluid pressure operating means for moving said work support to feed the work to said die, a fluid conduit connecting the discharge side of the first fluid pressure operated means to the intake side of the second fluid pressure operated means and means operated during the return stroke of said reciprocating means for supplyingfluid under pressure to said first mentioned fluid pressure operated means.

14. In a metal working element the combination of a movably mounted work support, a metal working element, fluid pressure operated means for rotating said work support to rotate the work with respect to said metal working element, fluid pressure operated means for moving said work support to feed the work to said working element, a fluid conduit for carrying fluid discharged from the first fluid pressure operated means to the second fluid pressure operated means, and means for supplying fluid under pressure to said first fluid pressure operated means.

OTTO J. BRATZ.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2 5M375. May 2, 19m.

OTTO J. BRATZ.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1;, first Q column, line 55, claim 6, strike out the Words "with respect to said metal working element, a", and insert the same after 'work" in line 514., same claim; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. v v I Signed and sealed this 20th day of June, A. D. 19141;.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

